Compact



A ril 18, 1967 R.J. NICHOL 3,314,436

COMPACT Filed June 4, 1964 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 FIG. .I 4

3 INVENTOR.

RICHARD J. NICHOL w w,am m$,;4fl

- ATTORNEYS R. J. NICHOL COMPACT 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG. 2

INVENTOR. RICHARD J. NICHOL FM Mug/ 541 MM ATTORNEYS April 18, 1967 Filed June 4, 1964 thereon.

Unite ttes Patet 3,3 E4436 Patented Apr. 18, 1967 3,314,436 COMPACT Richard J. Nichol, Chappaqua, N.Y., assignor to Avon Products, Inc. Filed June 4, 1964, Ser. No. 372,485 17 Claims. (Cl. 132-83) This invention relates to improvements in cases and more particularly to a combined plastic and metal cosmetic compact in which the various parts cooperate with each other in a unique manner to provide a compact substantially superior to convention-a1 constructions.

In the past, compacts have been made with a housing portion surrounded by a metallic band or rim and a cover member hinged to the housing. These compacts present an appealing appearance, however, they are somewhat expensive to manufacture. For example, where conventional stamping procedures are used for forming the rim portions of these compacts, a cup-shaped element is formed from a metal blank and the bottom of the formed element is then punched out to form the unitary unbroken rim. In punching out this bottom section, the size of the punch-out is made smaller than the diameter of the rim so as to provide a lip portion which is used when attaching the rims to the respective housing portions of the compacts. Each housing piece to which one of these metal bands is to be attached will accordingly be made with a cooperating groove along its periphery for receiving the lip of the metal rim; and in this manner, the metal band may be securely attached to the housing part of the compact. Compacts manufactured in this manner, however, involve considerable wastage of metal due to the fact that the punched out circular portions are not used in the completed compact.

Attempts have been made to avoid this wastage where it has been found desirable to apply a metal band around a portion of the compact housing. In these latter constructions, however, the metal band must first be positioned on the housing part of the compact and then bent over along its upper and lower edges to hold the band This in turn requires a separate forming step in the manufacturing and assembling of this type of compact and accordingly adds to the expense of such compacts.

In accordance with the teachings of the present invention, there is provided a compact having upper and lower parts molded from a suitable plastic material and hinged together by a separate hinge member. In addition, the compact of the present invention is provided with metal rims which are preformed and assembled to the plastic parts in such a manner whereby wastage and manufacturing costs are kept to a minimum.

A fuller understanding of the present invention will be obtained from a reading of the following specification and an examination of the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is an exploded view of the compact constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a section view taken through the center of the compact;

FIG. 3 is a section view taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 2; and

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the assembled compact.

As shown in FIG. 1, the container portion of the compact generally designated at 1 includes a supporting portion 2 and a wall portion 3 spaced from the outer periphery of the supporting portion to define a ledge 4 and terminating in another ledge 5. This latter ledge is, in turn, provided with a raised lip 6 extending around its inner periphery. The inner surface of the wall 3 is recessed at 7 as shown to define a hinge zone 8. Also, the wall 3 along the central portion of this hinge zone 8 terminates below the ledge 5 to define a lid hinge passage way 9. On the side of the container diametrically across the open end thereof from the recessed hinge Zone 8 is a raised catch member 10 formed integrally with the lip 6. The catch member includes a catch lug 11 extending radially outwardly of the container for 00- operating with a compact lid as more fully described below.

The outer surface of the container wall 3 is provided with a plurality of spaced seating indentations 12, 13, 14 adjacent the catch member 10. These indentations define a continuation of the ledge 4 and extend toward the center of the container. Also, the Wall 3 of the container is provided with a band retaining opening 15 extending therethrough in the center of said recessed hinge zone 8 and a pair of hinge retaining openings 16 and 17 on either side of the opening 15 also within said recessed hinge zone 8. These openings are provided for receiving locking lug-s of a band member and hinge as more fully described below.

The lid port-ion of the compact of the present invention generally designated at 20 is similar in construction to the container portion 1. As shown in FIG. 1, the lid 20 comprises a cover portion 21 and a wall 22 spaced from the periphery of the cover portion to define a ledge 23. The wall itself 22 terminates in a ledge 24 of a shape corresponding to the ledge 5 of the container and is provided with a lid hinge zone 25 through which a center band retaining opening 26 and spaced hinge retaining openings 27, 28 are formed. The wall 22 of the lid in this hinge zone terminates at a point below the ledge 24 to define a lid hinge passageway 29 similar to the container hinge passageway 9 of the container. Also, as with the container portion of the compact, the lid 20 is provided with a plurality of spaced seating indentations 3t), 31, 32 on the side of the lid diametrically across the open end thereof from the hinge zone 25. And finally, the lid is provided with a catch recess 33 for cooperating with the catch lug 11 of the container when the container and lid are positioned with their respective ledges 5 and 24 abutting each other as shown in FIG. 2.

In the compact construction shown in the drawings, both the container portion and lid portion thus far described are molded as integral pieces form a suitable plastic material. This only only keeps the manufacturing costs of the compact low but also provides a construction wherein the container and lid are particularly suited for quick assembly to each other and to additional parts of the compact as will be described.

In accordance with the teachings of the present invention, both the container and lid are provided with a metallic band 40. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the container band and lid band are identical in construction and are adapted to seat respectively on the ledge 4 of the containerand the ledge 23 of the lid. In order to attach the bands onto the container and lid, they are each provided with a plurality of seating lugs 41, 42, 43 extending away therefrom along one edge 44 and a pair of locking lugs 45, 46 formed on the ends of the band. The other edge 44' of the bands is free of any extending portions for reasons described below. Each of the bands is provided with hinge openings 47, 48 adjacent to but spaced from the ends thereof as shown in FIG. 1. And finally, the bands are cutaway at 50, 51 for cooperating with the container and lid hinge passageways 9, 29, respectively as more fully described below.

One of the bands 40 as shown in FIGS. 2 and 4 is positioned on the container 1 with the edge 44 seating on the ledge 4 and with the sealing lugs 41, 42 and 43 extending into the seating indentations 12, 13, 14, respectively. Of course the spacing of the seating lugs and the seating indentations will be made equal for this purpose. To lock the container band onto the ledge 4, the locking lugs 45, 46 are passed through the opening 15 into the recessed hinge zone 8 and bent around into engagement with the inner surface of the wall 3. In a like manner, another band 40 is fixed to the lid 20 with the edge 44 seated against the ledge 23, the seating lugs 41, 42, 43 extending into the seating indentations 30, 31, 32, with the locking lugs 45, 46 extending through the opening 26.

In the assembled condition, the cut out portions 50, 51 of the bands will conform to the container and lid hinge passageways 9 and 29, respectively, and each of the bands will cover the associated wall portions of the container and lid with the edge 44' forming a continuation of the ledges and 24, respectively.

The bands 4! in the form shown in FIG. 1 may be made with a minimum amount of metal wastage and at a minimum expense. The seating lugs 41, 42, 43 and the locking lugs 45, 46 may be cut at the same time and bent into the position to provide bands ready for assembly to the container and lid.

The locking and seating lugs of the bands 40 securely hold the bands against movement on the container and lid with the seating lugs in particular preventing accidental sliding of the front portion of the band off the ledge in the area of the catch mechanism. Also, due to the specific location of the seating lugs along the lower edge 44 of the bands and their cooperation with the ledges 4 and 23 and seating indentations 12, 13, I4 and 30, 31, 32 of the container and lid, respectively, the only visibile indication of any attaching means holding the bands in place on the container and lid is at the back of the compact in the hinge area. Not only does this hidden connection add to the appearance of the container, but it permits a simplified band assembling procedure requiring only one bending operation for each band, that of bending the locking lugs into place, and this may be done with any simple tool. No expensive bending of the entire edge of the band 40 is required as in conventional constructions nor is there any large wastage of metal encountered in manufacturing the bands.

The container portion of the compact of the present invention is provided with a suitable cosmetic receptacle 60 containing, for example, a facial powder 61. In addition, a powder puff 62 may be laid over the receptacle as shown in FIG. 2. The receptacle 60 has an outside diameter substantially equal to the inside diameter of the container wall 3 and the recessed hinge zone 8 provides the necessary room for the locking lugs 45, 45 of the container band and for the locking lugs of a hinge described below.

In the lid20, a mirror 79 is seated against the cover portion 21 and held in place by a seating ring 71. The seating ring has an outside edge 72 of a diameter substantially equal to the inside diameter of the lid wall 22. This outer edge of the seating ring 71 is recessed at 73 to provide room for the locking lugs 45, 46 of the lid band and the locking lugs of a hinge for connecting the lid to the container. Immediately above the recessed area 73, the seating ring is provided with a hinge cover 74. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the hinge cover comprises a raised portion 75 and an outwardly extending portion 76. The outwardly extending portion 76 is adapted to be received in the lid hinge passageway 29 and the raised portion 75 is adapted to be received in the recessed hinge zone 8 of the container when the lid and cover are in the position shown in FIG. 2. With this construction, the seating ring 71 may be properly aligned with a minimum effort relative to the lid hinge zone 25 during assembly of the ring in the lid, and the lid may be quickly aligned with the container for attachment thereto.

The hinge means employed for connecting the lid and container together is generally designated 80 and com with a curved attaching portion 89 having lugs 90, 91 for insertion through the openings 47, 48 of the band used as a lid band and through the aligned openings 27, 28 of the lid wall 21. As shown in FIG. 3, the pin 85 defines a 7 straight pivot axis extending in a direction substantially tangent to the walls of the container and lid and the interlocking portions 83, 84 of the container hinge and lid hinge extend through the hinge passageways 9 and 29. Although the interlocking portions of the hinge define a straight hinge pivot axis by means of the pin 85, the curved attaching portions of the hinge permit "a neat attachment of the hinge to the curved-outer surfaces of the container and lid walls, 3 and 22.

The above description sets forth the preferred construction of the compact of the present invention, however, it is to be understood that various changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.

I claim:

I. A compact comprising:

(a) a cup-shaped container having a support portion and a wall portion spaced from the periphery thereof to define a first ledge and terminating at a predetermined height in a second ledge,

(b) a fiat container band seated on said first ledge and covering the outer surface of said wall with one edge thereof defining a continuation of said second ledge,

(c) at least three lugs on said container band extending into said Wall between said first and second ledges,

(d) a cup-shaped lid having a cover portion and a wall portion spaced from the periphery thereof to define a third ledge and terminating at a predetermined height in a fourth ledge complementary in shape to said second ledge,

(e) a flat, lid band seated on said third ledge and covering the outer surface of the Wall of said lid with one edge defining a continuation of said fourth ledge,

(f) at least three lugs on said lid band extending into said wall between said thi-rd'and fourth ledges, and

(g) hinge means pivo-tally connecting said lid to said container with said second and fourth ledges abutting each other.

2. A compact according to claim 1 further including:

(a) a raised lip on said second ledge extending along the inner periphery thereof and having an outer dimension complementary and substantially equal to the inner dimension of said lid,

-(b) a catch recess on the inner wall of said lid at a point across the cup-shaped opening thereof opposit said hinge means, and

(c) a raised catch member positioned on said lip at a point across the cup-shaped opening thereof opposite said hinge means and having an outwardly extending catch lug engaging said catch recess when said second and fourth ledges are abutting each other.

3. A compact according to claim 2, wherein:

(a) two of said lugs of each of said bands define locking lugs formed at the ends thereof and fixed to the respective container and 'lid adjacent said hinge means,

(b) the remaining lugs of said container band define seating lugs and extend into the wall of said container at spaced points adjacent said catch member, and

(c) the remaining lugs of said lid band define seating lugs and extend into the wall of said lid at spaced points adjacent said catch recess. a

4. A compact according to claim 3, wherein:

(a) the walls of said cup-shaped container and lid are cylindrical.

5. A compact according to claim 4, wherein:

(a) the inner surface of the wall of said container is recessed at a predetermined point, and

(b) said hinge and the locking lugs of said container band are fixed to said container within said recess.

6. A compact according to claim 5, wherein:

(a) said container and lid bands substantially surround the wall of said container and lid, respectively.

7. A compact according to claim 6, wherein:

(a) said container and lid are each formed of integrally molded plastic material, and

(b) said bands are formed of metal.

8. A compact according to claim 7, further including:

(a) a mirror positioned within the bottom of said cupshaped lid, and

(b) a seating ring fixed to the inner-surface of the wall of said lid with one side covering the exposed surface of said mirror along its periphery.

9. A compact acording to claim 8, wherein:

(a) said hinge and the locking lugs of said lid band extend through the wall of said lid and into engagement with the inner surface thereof, and

(b) the outer edge of said seating ring is recessed to receive the portion of said hinge and the locking lugs of said lid band extending through said wall.

10. A compact according to claim 9, wherein:

(a) the wall of said lid terminates below said fourth ledge adjacent said hinge means to define a lid hinge passageway,

(b) said seating ring includes a raised and outwardly extending hinge cover formed on the opposite side thereof and covering the recessed edge with the outwardly extending portion thereof projecting into said lid hinge passageway, and

(c) said lid band is cut away adjacent its ends to conform to said lid hinge passageway.

11. A compact according to claim 10, wherein:

(a) said container wall terminates below said second ledge adjacent said hinge to define a container hinge passageway,

(b) said container band is cut away adjacent its ends to conform to said container hinge passageway, and

(c) said hinge means comprises a container hinge and a lid hinge passing through said lid hinge and container hinge passageways, respectively and pivotally connected together along a straight pivot axis extending along a direction substantially tangent to the walls of said lid and container.

12. A compact according to claim 11, wherein:

(a) the raised portion of said seating ring is aligned with the recessed portion on the inner surface of the container wall and extends therein when said second and fourth ledges are abutting each other.

13. A compact according to claim 12 further including:

(a) a cosmetic receptacle positioned within said cupshaped container and having an outer diameter substantially equal to the inner diameter of said container.

14. A compact comprising:

(a) a circular, cup-shaped container having a support portion and a wall portion space-d from the periphery thereof to define a first ledge and terminating at a predetermined distance in a second ledge,

(b) a raised lip on said second ledge extending along the inner periphery thereof,

() a raised catch member on said lip having a radially outwardly extending catch lug,

(d) a recessed hinge zone on the inner surface of said wall disposed diametrically opposite said catch memher,

(e) a plurality of circumferentially spaced seating indentations on the outer surface of the wall of said container defining a continuation of said first ledge in the area adjacent said catch member,

(f) a first opening extending through said wall in said recessed hinge zone, I

(g) second and third openings extending through said wall on opposite sides of said first opening in said recessed hinge zone,

(h) a unitary container band covering the outer surface of the wall of said container between its first and second ledges,

(i) spaced seating lugs on one edge of said container band projecting into said seating indentations,

(j) locking lugs on the ends of said container band extending through said first opening and into said recessed hinge zone to lock said container band onto the wall of said container,

(k) a circular lid having a cover portion and a wall portion spaced from the periphery thereof to define a third ledge and terminating at a predetermined distance in a fourth ledge having a diameter substantially equal to said second ledge,

(l) a catch recess on the inner wall of said lid for cooperating with said catch tlug,

(m) a plurality of circumferentially spaced seating indentations on the outer surface of the wall of said lid defining a continuation of said third ledtge in the area adjacent said locking recess,

(11) a first opening extending through the wall of said lid at a position diametrically opposite said catch recess,

(0) second and third openings extending through the wall of said lid on opposite sides of said first openmg,

(p) a unitary lid band covering the outer surface of the wall of said lid between said third and fourth ledges,

(q) spaced seating lugs on one edge of said lid band projecting into the seating indentations of said lid,

(r) locking lugs on the ends of said lid band extending through the first opening on said lid to lock said lid band thereto, and

(s) hinge means connected to said container and said lid through the second and third openings thereof.

15. A compact according to claim I14, wherein:

(a) said container and lid are each formed of integrally molded plastic material, and

(b) said bands are formed of metal.

16. A compact according to claim 15 further including:

(a) a mirror positioned Within the bottom of said cup-shaped lid, and

(b) seating ring fixed to the inner surface of the wall of said lid with one side covering the exposed surface of said mirror along its periphery.

17. A compact according to claim 16, wherein:

(a) the outer edge of said seating ring is recessed to receive the portions of the hinge and the locking lugs of said lid band extending through said container wall.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,456,636 5/1923 Kendall 132-83 1,467,764 9/1923 Lyhne 13283 1,599,571 9/ 1926 Lusher. 1,973,433 9/1934 Foster 13283 2,866,467 12/1958 Bradford 13282 ROBERT E. MORGAN, Acting Primary Examiner.

RICHARD A. GAUDET, G. E. MCNEILL,

Assistant Examiners. 

1. A COMPACT COMPRISING: (A) A CUP-SHAPED CONTAINER HAVING A SUPPORT PORTION AND A WALL PORTION SPACED FROM THE PERIPHERY THEREOF TO DEFINE A FIRST LEDGE AND TERMINATING AT A PREDETERMINED HEIGHT IN A SECOND LEDGE, (B) A FLAT CONTAINER BAND SEATED ON SAID FIRST LEDGE AND COVERING THE OUTER SURFACE OF SAID WALL WITH ONE EDGE THEREOF DEFINING A CONTINUATION OF SAID SECOND LEDGE, (C) AT LEAST THREE LUGS ON SAID CONTAINER BAND EXTENDING INTO SAID WALL BETWEEN SAID FIRST AND SECOND LEDGES, (D) A CUP-SHAPED LID HAVING A COVER PORTION AND A WALL PORTION SPACED FROM THE PERIPHERY THEREOF TO DEFINE A THIRD LEDGE AND TERMINATING AT A PREDETERMINED HEIGHT IN A FOURTH LEDGE COMPLEMENTARY IN SHAPE TO SAID SECOND LEDGE, (E) A FLAT, LID BAND SEATED ON SAID THIRD LEDGE AND COVERING THE OUTER SURFACE OF THE WALL OF SAID LID WITH ONE EDGE DEFINING A CONTINUATION OF SAID FOURTH LEDGE, (F) AT LEAST THREE LUGS ON SAID LID BAND EXTENDING INTO SAID WALL BETWEEN SAID THIRD AND FOURTH LEDGES, AND (G) HINGE MEANS PIVOTALLY CONNECTING SAID LID TO SAID CONTAINER WITH SAID SECOND AND FOURTH LEDGES ABUTTING EACH OTHER. 